US3847333A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for centering a luminaire support
Assignee: Johns Manville Corp
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Filing: 1973-02-05
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Granted: 1974-11-12
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Expires: 1993-02-05
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for maintaining a ring-like support in a predetermined location are disclosed herein. Both the method and apparatus are especially suitable for maintaining a ring-like luminaire support centered about a post as the luminaire support is moved up or down the latter. This is accomplished by providing a plurality of location maintaining arrangements which apply forces to the support for maintaining it in a centered position. These force imparting arrangements are interconnected to one another such that off-center movement of the luminaire support causes one or more of the arrangements to act in restoring the latter to its original position while, at this time, the remaining arrangements are automatically and temporarily removed so as not to interfere with the recentering function of the acting arrangements.
Inventors
- 👤 R Zeller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 12:06
CPC Classifications
F; F21; F21V; F21V21/00; F21V21/36; F21V21/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
An apparatus for maintaining a ring-like object support in a predetermined location around the external surface of a post, said apparatus comprising: a. a plurality of location maintaining arrangements connected with said object support and movable relative to said support along respective predetermined paths; b. means connected with said location maintaining arrangements for biasing all of said arrangements in corresponding directions along their respective paths; and c. a plurality of rod means substantially disposed within a common plane and interconnecting said arrangements to one another such that movement of any one of said arrangements along its predetermined path causes said pluality of rod means to substantially simultaneously move all of said other arrangements along their respective paths in a direction corresponding to the movement of said one arrangement.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
128 words
An apparatus for maintaining a ring-like object support in a predetermined location around the external surface of a post, said apparatus comprising: a. a plurality of location maintaining arrangements connected with said object support and movable relative to said support along respective predetermined paths; b. means connected with said location maintaining arrangements for biasing all of said arrangements in corresponding directions along their respective paths; and c. a plurality of rod means substantially disposed within a common plane and interconnecting said arrangements to one another such that movement of any one of said arrangements along its predetermined path causes said pluality of rod means to substantially simultaneously move all of said other arrangements along their respective paths in a direction corresponding to the movement of said one arrangement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said biasing means includes a single biasing member for simultaneously biasing all of said elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said biasing means, said plurality of rod means and said arrangements are connected together such that movement of any one of said arrangements causes said interconnecting means and said biasing means to move in parallel planes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of said interconnecting means is a rod interconnecting one arrangement with an adjacent arrangement.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said biasing means includes a longitudinal spring, said spring being disposed within a plane parallel with the common plane of said rod means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein all of said arrangements are interconnected by said plurality of rod means to move substantially equal amounts in response to movement of any one of said arrangements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said arrangements include corresponding ends each of which, at substantially any given point along its path, intersects a circular path intersecting all of said corresponding ends.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said circular path contracts in size as said arrangements move in the biasing direction along their respective paths.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
226 words
An apparatus for maintaining a ring-like object support in a predetermined location around the external surface of a post, said apparatus comprising: a. a plurality of location maintaining arrangements connected with said object support and including corresponding ends disposed in a common plane and substantially intersecting a common circular path within the plane, said arrangements being connected with said object support such that said corresponding ends are movable along respective predetermined paths within said plane and relative to said support; b. means connected with said location arrangements for biasing all of the ends of said arrangements in corresponding directions along their respective paths; and c. a plurality of rod means substantially dispOsed within a common plane and interconnecting said arrangements to one another such that i. movement of any one of said arrangements in the biasing direction along its predetermined path causes substantially equal and simultaneous movement of the other arrangements in the biasing direction along their respective predetermined paths, said substantially equal and simultaneous movement causing said common circular path to contract in size, and ii. movement of any of said arrangements in the non-biasing direction along its predetermined path causes substantially equal and simultaneous movement of the other arrangements in the non-biasing direction along their respective predetermined paths, said last-mentioned substantially equal and simultaneous movement causing said common circular path to expand in size.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
226 words
An apparatus for maintaining a ring-like object support in a predetermined location around the external surface of a post, said apparatus comprising: a. a plurality of location maintaining arrangements connected with said object support and including corresponding ends disposed in a common plane and substantially intersecting a common circular path within the plane, said arrangements being connected with said object support such that said corresponding ends are movable along respective predetermined paths within said plane and relative to said support; b. means connected with said location arrangements for biasing all of the ends of said arrangements in corresponding directions along their respective paths; and c. a plurality of rod means substantially dispOsed within a common plane and interconnecting said arrangements to one another such that i. movement of any one of said arrangements in the biasing direction along its predetermined path causes substantially equal and simultaneous movement of the other arrangements in the biasing direction along their respective predetermined paths, said substantially equal and simultaneous movement causing said common circular path to contract in size, and ii. movement of any of said arrangements in the non-biasing direction along its predetermined path causes substantially equal and simultaneous movement of the other arrangements in the non-biasing direction along their respective predetermined paths, said last-mentioned substantially equal and simultaneous movement causing said common circular path to expand in size.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
202 words
An apparatus adapted for centering ring-like object support about the axis of a longitudinal member, said apparatus comprising: a. a plurality of location maintaining arrangements connected with said object support and including corresponding ends, said arrangements being connected with said support such that said ends are movable in a forward direction towards and a rearward direction away from the axis of said support; b. means connected with said location maintaining arrangements and applying force against said arrangements in a direction parallel to a plane defined by the direction of movement of said ends for biasing each of the ends of said arrangement in said forward direction and in contact with said longitudinal member when said support is positioned around the latter, and c. means interconnecting said arrangements to one another such that movement of any one of said ends in its rearward direction causes substantially simultaneous movement of the other ends in their respective rearward directions, whereby movement of at least one of said ends in its rearward direction while remaining in contact with said longitudinal member causes at least one other of said ends to move out of contact with said longitudinal member when said support is positioned around the latter.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
202 words
An apparatus adapted for centering ring-like object support about the axis of a longitudinal member, said apparatus comprising: a. a plurality of location maintaining arrangements connected with said object support and including corresponding ends, said arrangements being connected with said support such that said ends are movable in a forward direction towards and a rearward direction away from the axis of said support; b. means connected with said location maintaining arrangements and applying force against said arrangements in a direction parallel to a plane defined by the direction of movement of said ends for biasing each of the ends of said arrangement in said forward direction and in contact with said longitudinal member when said support is positioned around the latter, and c. means interconnecting said arrangements to one another such that movement of any one of said ends in its rearward direction causes substantially simultaneous movement of the other ends in their respective rearward directions, whereby movement of at least one of said ends in its rearward direction while remaining in contact with said longitudinal member causes at least one other of said ends to move out of contact with said longitudinal member when said support is positioned around the latter.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
202 words
A luminaire assembly comprising: a. a post; b. a ring-like support member concentrically disposed around said post and movable along the length thereof; c. at least one luminaire connected with and supported by said support member; d. a plurality of location maintaining arrangements connected with said support member and including corresponding ends adapted to engage against said post, said arrangements being connected with said object support such that said corresponding ends are movable in a forward direction towards and a rearward direction away from said post; e. a longitudinal spring connected with said location maintaining arrangements for biasing each of the ends of said arrangements in said forward direction and in contact with said post; f. a plurality of rods substantially disposed within a common plane which is parallel with said spring, said rods interconnecting said arrangements to one another such that movement of any one of said ends in its rearward direction causes substantially simultaneous movement of the other ends in their respective rearward directions, whereby movement of at least one of said arrangements in its rearward direction while remaining in contact with said post causes at least one other of said ends to move out of contact with said post.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
202 words
A luminaire assembly comprising: a. a post; b. a ring-like support member concentrically disposed around said post and movable along the length thereof; c. at least one luminaire connected with and supported by said support member; d. a plurality of location maintaining arrangements connected with said support member and including corresponding ends adapted to engage against said post, said arrangements being connected with said object support such that said corresponding ends are movable in a forward direction towards and a rearward direction away from said post; e. a longitudinal spring connected with said location maintaining arrangements for biasing each of the ends of said arrangements in said forward direction and in contact with said post; f. a plurality of rods substantially disposed within a common plane which is parallel with said spring, said rods interconnecting said arrangements to one another such that movement of any one of said ends in its rearward direction causes substantially simultaneous movement of the other ends in their respective rearward directions, whereby movement of at least one of said arrangements in its rearward direction while remaining in contact with said post causes at least one other of said ends to move out of contact with said post.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
65 words
An assembly according to claim 11 wherein: a. the corresponding ends of said arrangements lie in a common plane and substantially intersect a common circular path extending around said post, and b. said rearward movement of any one of said ends causes a substantially equal amount of rearward movement of said other ends such that said circular path intersected by said ends expands in size.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
An assembly according to claim 12 wherein: a. said location maintaining arrangements are pivotally connected with said support member for providing said movemEnt of said ends.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
45 words
An assembly according to claim 13 wherein: a. said arrangements comprise at least four arrangements substantially equally circumferentially spaced about said circular path, and b. the corresponding ends of each of said arrangements including wheel means adapted to be biased in contact with said post.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
207 words
An apparatus adapted for centering a ring-like object support about the axis of a longitudinal member, said apparatus comprising: a. a plurality of location maintaining arrangements connected with said object support and including corresponding ends, said arrangements being connected with said support such that said ends are movable in a forward direction towards and a rearward direction away from the axis of said support, said ends being movable in a common plane; b. means including a longitudinal spring connected with said location maintaining arrangements for biasing each of the ends of said arrangements in said forward direction and in contact with said longitudinal member when said support is positioned around said longitudinal member, said spring extending in a direction parallel to said common plane; and c. a plurality of rods substantially disposed within a plane parallel to said common plane, said rods interconnecting said arrangements to one another such that movement of any one of said ends in its rearward direction causes substantially simultaneous and substantially equal movement to the other ends in their respective rearward directions and such that movement of any one of said ends in its forward direction causes substantially simultaneous and substantially equal movement of the other ends in their respective forward directions.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
207 words
An apparatus adapted for centering a ring-like object support about the axis of a longitudinal member, said apparatus comprising: a. a plurality of location maintaining arrangements connected with said object support and including corresponding ends, said arrangements being connected with said support such that said ends are movable in a forward direction towards and a rearward direction away from the axis of said support, said ends being movable in a common plane; b. means including a longitudinal spring connected with said location maintaining arrangements for biasing each of the ends of said arrangements in said forward direction and in contact with said longitudinal member when said support is positioned around said longitudinal member, said spring extending in a direction parallel to said common plane; and c. a plurality of rods substantially disposed within a plane parallel to said common plane, said rods interconnecting said arrangements to one another such that movement of any one of said ends in its rearward direction causes substantially simultaneous and substantially equal movement to the other ends in their respective rearward directions and such that movement of any one of said ends in its forward direction causes substantially simultaneous and substantially equal movement of the other ends in their respective forward directions.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
209 words
An apparatus adapted for centering a ring-like object support about the axis of a longitudinal member, said apparatus comprising: a. a plurality of circumferentially spaced location maintaining arrangements pivotally connected with said object support and including corresponding ends, said arrangements being connected with said support for pivotal movement in a common plane perpendicular to the axis of said member such that said ends are movable in a forward direction towards and rearward direction away from the axis of said member; b. means connected with said location maintaining arrangements for biasing each of the ends of said arrangements in said forward direction and in contact with said longitudinal member when said support is positioned around said longitudinal member; and c. a plurality of rods having opposite end portions respectively pivotally connected to adjacent sides of adjacently positioned location maintaining arrangements, said rods interconnecting said arrangements to one another such that movement of any one of said ends of said arrangements in its rearward direction causes substantially simultaneous and substantially equal movement of the other ends in their respective rearward directions and such that movement of any one of said ends in its forward direction causes substantially simultaneous and substantially equal movement of the other ends in their respective forward directions.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
209 words
An apparatus adapted for centering a ring-like object support about the axis of a longitudinal member, said apparatus comprising: a. a plurality of circumferentially spaced location maintaining arrangements pivotally connected with said object support and including corresponding ends, said arrangements being connected with said support for pivotal movement in a common plane perpendicular to the axis of said member such that said ends are movable in a forward direction towards and rearward direction away from the axis of said member; b. means connected with said location maintaining arrangements for biasing each of the ends of said arrangements in said forward direction and in contact with said longitudinal member when said support is positioned around said longitudinal member; and c. a plurality of rods having opposite end portions respectively pivotally connected to adjacent sides of adjacently positioned location maintaining arrangements, said rods interconnecting said arrangements to one another such that movement of any one of said ends of said arrangements in its rearward direction causes substantially simultaneous and substantially equal movement of the other ends in their respective rearward directions and such that movement of any one of said ends in its forward direction causes substantially simultaneous and substantially equal movement of the other ends in their respective forward directions.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus according to claim 16 wherein: a. said biasing means includes a spring connected with one of said arrangements and said object support and extends parallel with said common plane and b. said rods lie in a common plane perpendicular to the axis of said member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-11-11 | 1978-05-13 | 1978-11-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-11 | 1982-05-13 | 1982-11-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-11 | 1986-05-13 | 1986-11-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |